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An outdoor Games Deck harkens back to the days of the '20s and '30s with croquet, shuffleboard, hoopla, deck quoits and paddle tennis. Loyal followers also totally approve of the fact that the cruise line employs a stricter dress code than that followed on other mainstream lines. In typically understated British style, the ship doesn't do glitzy or loud, so ambience overall is modest rather than striking.
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But avocado soup with salmon was silky and rich—a satisfying cold starter. Classic escargots à la Bourguignonne were properly redolent with garlic and butter. Other items on the appetizer menu included crispy Thai vegetable spring roll, shrimp and salmon cakes, frogs’ legs Provençale, wild mushroom and goat cheese risotto, and cheddar cheese soup. We did not find Cunard’s frequent sailor program, Cunard World Club, to be exactly flush with benefits. At the entry level, the Silver tier, starting with their second cruise members receive up to 5 percent off early bookings on select voyages and other perks. After a second cruise (or 20 nights), members attain Gold status, availing two hours of complimentary internet access, a cocktail party, and “preferred” reservations in the specialty restaurants.
Included with your cruise fare:
Wanting to try another option I also visit Steakhouse at The Verandah; an extra US$40 per person for dinner. A great decision, with the 28-day dry-aged steak cooked to perfection – and a mountain of optional sides ensuring I don’t leave hungry. Quality and variety of dining is excellent, as is service from waiters and sommeliers. The cruise line's move has angered some passengers and prompted social-media accusations that the effort was profit-motivated. Norwegian Cruise Line has announced new culinary experiences that include their first Thai restaurant that will debut on their next new ship, Norwegian Aqua.
Deck 3
Anyone who really does not want to dress to impress can opt out by eating in the Lido buffet on Deck 9 or relaxing in the Winter Garden on the same deck. However, they are politely advised to stay away from other areas on the ship, especially the restaurants, out of respect for fellow passengers. We were pleasantly surprised by this “alternative dining” venue on Queen Elizabeth. These days, it’s not usual for cruise ships to devote a section of their buffet restaurant to a surcharge restaurant at night. But often these options seem like little more than the buffet venue with window dressing, with minimal improvement on food or ambience over the regular buffet option. But Queen Elizabeth got it right, with not one but four alternating restaurants serving distinctive ethnic meals for two or three nights in a row.
Cabin Amenities Overview
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Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing. The ship’s standard bar menu was available at the Garden Lounge, as well as a selection of fresh squeezed juices and smoothies. We came back the following night to try Jasmine, and again the food was plentiful. The meal started with a pot of Twinings Jasmine Pearl tea, with an hourglass-style timer.
With daily news stories of delayed and canceled flights, lost baggage, and travelers stranded overseas in the middle of a natural disaster, it's ... Business Insider's reporter took a luxury cruise with Virgin Voyages and dined at restaurants with menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs. There wasn’t a lot of heart to them, but the odd good nibble was proffered. Vegetarians should note that, at all four of the options, entrées were strictly meat, chicken or seafood based. But there were plenty of starters that were vegetarian, and we suspect a fairly diverse meat-free dinner could be composed on request.
In this age of java joints on every street corner we were a little surprised that Café Carinthia didn’t open until 7 a.m., when we found it struggling to wipe the sleep from its eyes (on many cruise ships the coffee venue is open 24 hours). It isn't one of the huge cruise ships so has a more intimate, friendly feel. Also a plus point for those new-to-cruising is that they won't get lost trying to find their way around. Cruisers -- especially those who enjoy dressing up for dinner -- can expect an elegant experience on this well laid out ship.
Deck 10
For those of us not parked in suites, there were four main dining options nightly. Although Queen Elizabeth does not have a large variety of dining venues, the diversity of food on offer was impressive. Although the buffet Lido Restaurant was just average, each evening one corner of the venue was converted into one of four different ethnic menus, where we enjoyed pleasing food at a modest surcharge. Next level up is the Princess Grill category, which represent the entry-level suites.
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Photo books are a fantastic way to keep our special memories in a tangible, beautiful format instead of just storing pictures on ... These trips are popular with both families and couples, but they can be just as rewarding and enjoyable for solo travellers, giving you as much flexibility as you want along with opportunities to meet ... In collaboration with the Port of Dover, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines enhances its 2024 cruise packages with free parking and onboard credit.
It wasn’t the type of show we’d normally jump for but we were impressed. The 55-minute performance utilized both backing tracks and a live band—there were great costumes and fine choreography to showcase the energetic 12-member team of hoofers. Also worth seeing was Vanity Fair, an English-style review, with songs from Mad Dogs and Englishman and Crazy for You.
However, the ship really excels in its specialty dining, both at Kings Court Specialty A La Carte -- the ship's daily changing themed restaurant -- and its new addition, The Verandah. There's still just the one daily captain's announcement at noon, which provides an update on the ship's progress. Like the other Cunarders, Queen Victoria operates a class system in which the cabin grade you choose dictates where you eat. This means for those who want to splash the cash, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill provide top notch accommodations and more upmarket dining options. Having said that, around 80 percent of passengers are happily ensconced in Britannia-grade cabins and dine in the stylish Britannia Restaurant. Queen Elizabeth captures the glamour of yesteryear when steamer trunks, formal dining and ballroom galas were all the rage at sea.
And when our sweet tooth was sated the cheese plate was worth trying, with three selections that changed nightly, served with a few walnuts, dried apricots and a roll. The first night of our cruise, meal service was disorganized, our waiter inattentive to detail, and the noisy bustle of diners and wait staff settling into their routines was clamorous; buckets of cleaning products sat a few feet from our table. At breakfast, which was slow to arrive, we were asked if we wanted toast and, since we’d ordered French toast, we passed. When our French toast was delivered, we were asked again—white or wheat?
Meal service in the main dining room was loud, distracted, and the sound of breaking dishes was a repeated refrain. Our waiter strived to keep us happy but seemed to have missed out on some training—he reached across table in front of us to access water glasses, plates, etc. (the assistant waiter was charming and attentive). At several of the bars and lounges (especially the Commodore Club) we were surprised how long drink orders took. Managed by Steiner Leisure, the major player in cruise ship spas, the Royal Spa was properly elegant and subdued and featured a full-service salon. The ship’s gym was accessed through the spa, as was the Royal Bath House, a surcharge facility within the spa. An unlimited soft drinks package was available, though only on the first and second day of the cruise, and for the entirety of the journey.
Roux also has revamped the offerings in the ship’s Golden Lion pub. The ambiance of the Yacht Club on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria shifts from day to night as resident DJs keep the party going. Enjoy top-shelf tipples, including a special World of Whiskies menu featuring selections from Japan, Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S., as well as an array of rejiggered takes on the classic old-fashioned. Choose from the Sailor’s Signal, made with bourbon, a smoky Lapsang souchong tea- and honey-infused syrup, and handcrafted bitters, or the Hello Maple, mingling Canadian whisky, maple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
In the Verandah the waitstaff was charming, engaging and knowledgeable. At the Lido’s alternative restaurants, waiters were on their game. Jogging and power walks were permitted only from 8 a.m, to 8 p.m. As we were housed in a more humble cabin, maybe next time we’ll gain entry.
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